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Wassup again everyone, it’s Saturday and I got a chance to talk to a Jersey native, and upcoming rapper Mr.Roundtree. Not only did we get a chance to talk about his upcoming projects, but we also got a chance to talk about authentic hip hop. I think the hip hop heads and era of lyricist will enjoy this segment. More so, I think you will enjoy his music. So let’s get into this interview with Jersey’s own Mr.Roundtree!

Q: Can you please give use your name, background, business name, and business background?

A: My name is Stephen Louis. I come from the bottom, the very end of south jersey. I’m 22 years old I started rapping about 2 years ago. I loop beats play the trumpet and love the 90’s so much I was born there. Business name?! Mr.roundtree! Roundtree for short. I’ve been a lot of places I’ve performed a lot since I was about 8 years old. Writing poetry is how I started not until after high school did I take music into consideration. Plays and different talent shows got me used to being on stage at a young age so I guess that’s where I got the entertainment bug from

Q: At what age did you start rapping?

A: I started rapping when I was 13 or 14 like I used to write poetry because I was sad and idk I just thought writing your feelings on paper was normal. Then I won a poetry contest like… I never win anything! The in high school I started free styling a lot because that’s all we did at the lunch table and after that it was cypher after cypher.Q: You have such an old school sound, what makes you connect with the origins of hip hop?

A: Morals… Meaning… Life experiences. There is so much to gain from the golden era of hip hop. I literally could listen to it all the time. I don’t know what it is. I just love the lingo or the way you can present a story over a sample used by frank Sinatra like that’s what is so special about hip hop the endless possibilities of what you can create.

Q: How has the fall of the “Era of Lyricist” impacted your career?

A: The youth have closed their ears in some ways. For a artist like me it’s going to take a little longer because I’m not as ignorant as some of my peers. I try to talk about my life experiences or use words not often used to spur the listener into maybe doing some type of research for themselves so they can walk away gaining something from my music not just rocking to the beat.

Q: What type of artist would you consider yourself? Musically, what artist do you draw inspiration from?

A: I’m conscious. But I want to break barriers. Like I want to be able to make all types of music. Pop, jazz, funk, rap,trap,hip hop, Latin, even a classical song all things go right. I draw from life. Can life be a artist!? I’ve never sat down and studied one artist. Ppl say I sound like Kendrick , or eminem a lot. I just like to keep the flow tight get my emotions out and get my point across a dig.

Q: What other instruments do you play besides the horn?

A: I play the piano a lil bit and the drums. Nothing fancy Q: How have you evolved as an artist? How do you see yourself continuing to evolve musically?

A: My voice has changed. I find the more you rap the more you sound like what you think you sound like in your head. Ice crafting my songs a little better now. Actually putting a lot of thought into if I’m telling a story what I should say next detail, building up a punch line instead of punchline after punchline. I really want to get better with my horn because I see no one doing what I’m doing and rapping and I know I have something unique. And if someone takes it I’m gunna be mega pissed! So I have to be the bestQ: Would you consider yourself a hip hop head? Do you believe the phrase hip hop is dead?

A: Mm I feel like I’m not a hip hop head but I friggin love hip hop. Anddddd hip hops not dead. The culture still thrives, it’s changed… Maybe not for the best but the roots are still here and the majority of ppl know what’s real and what’s trash. The industry is just over saturated so you have to keep combing to find the good artist.

Q: Tell us about your next album? Where did the inspiration come from?A: I haven’t thought about my next album too much yet. I just released a album called I.D. Not short for identification but for irreconcilable differences. Through my parents divorce I’ve had to find myself identify myself and that’s where a lot of the inspiration for a lot of the songs came from. Go get that jawn on iTunes!!! Spottily anywhereQ: Do you have any features on your album? If so who was the most enjoyable to work with?

A: Haha ok I had a couple features but the 2 most enjoyable were my DJ, Erik Jordan because that nigga is amazing and is just a powerhouse for wanting to do anything music related , and my boy Shawn L he’s super dope like so eclectic and his sound is just pure hip hop.

Q: In the future is there an artist in particular you would want to work with?

Q: Where can fans purchase your music?A: iTunes,Amazon,spotify, reverb, literally anywhere you can buy music just type in Mr.Roundtree and I’m in there

Q: Do you have any upcoming shows?

A: Uhhhh I do! August 7th in mt.holly and I have radio interview in September!

That was Mr.Roundtree everybody. We hope you enjoyed. If you didn’t catch his show tonight, catch his radio interview in September. To keep up with Mr.Roundtree please follow him on Instagram and Twitter @mistr_roundtree. Also follow him on Facebook at Stephen l Louis. To hear his latest and prior tracks follow Mr.Roundtree on reverbnation. Also follow Stephen Louis 1 on SoundCloud. Download the album I.D. and tune in on Monday for our segment with WeMagazine.